Classic Marathon 2027

Scrutineering and Documentation sessions will take place during Saturday afternoon allowing crews to fly into Athens that morning should they wish before crews join each other to look forward to an unforgettable week of Marathon motoring during the Welcome Dinner.

Leaving Vouliagmeni, it is an easy drive north on good roads to the start of the Classic Marathon 2018 in Marathonas. Being close to the capital city, the surroundings are invariably ‘built up’ however the Sunday morning traffic should be relatively light and free flowing.

On arrival in Marathonas, please park as directed in the large public area close to the historic Marathon Race start line. Most of you will know the legend of Pheidippides, who in 490 BC was sent running from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory of an outnumbered Athenian army over the Persians, a feat that is commemorated by the modern marathon running race. Less well known is that the name ‘Marathon’ literally means ‘a place full of fennels’ as derived from the Ancient Greek.

The cars will be flagged away for the short drive to the first test around the local Gymkhana arena close to the town. Suitably in the groove, we take to the hills for the first regularity along the rugged coastline of the South Euboean Gulf. Interesting back roads then take us back inland for a quick sprint round the circuit to round off the morning action. From there, we make no excuses in using the motorway to speed us past largely industrial areas to lunch at a local winery.

After lunch, we use the motorway again to speed us across the immense plains of Thiva to the start of the next regularity in the hills above Mazi. The descent from this regularity gives us the first taste of Greek gravel and some care is needed due to road damage. Back in the valley we pass cotton and tobacco fields before tackling the next regularity, which is well known to local Greek rally enthusiasts. It is then on to the afternoon refreshments break at a rural café

From here the final regularity is an ‘Alpine Climb’ in true Classic Marathon tradition as we scale a myriad of hairpin bends on the fir-clad northern flanks of Mount Parnassus - one of the highest and most sacred mountains in Greece. Now hosting the largest ski centre in Greece, the mountain was once the home of Pegasus, the famous winged horse. Then its onwards to our arrival in Delfi, where the Main Time Control will be located at the entrance to the Museum and Archaeological Site - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delfi (or Delphi) is famous as the seat of Pythia, the Oracle consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world.

After visiting the site, should you so wish, all that remains is a short 5-minute drive through the attractive little mountain town of modern Delfi to the Hotel. Set on a quiet hillside, the hotel affords panoramic views all the way down to the sea at Itea.

Day Two begins with a long descent from the hills towards the coast near Amfissa, where fuel is available. This is a busy little town, which played a major role during the Greek War of Independence (1821 to 1830).The intricate route through the town's outskirts takes a bit of concentration but we soon find ourselves at the start of the first regularity of the day. This twists its way over the hills at Prosilio and sets the scene for the day ahead.

Shortly after the end of this section, watch out for the lumbering lorries servicing the nearby Bauxite mines.As you may have gathered, we are now in traditional Acropolis Rally territory and the next regularity uses the classic (albeit now tarmaced) roads around Inohori. More rally heritage then follows as we take in the famous old Bralos Pass and its winding descent down to the plains around Lamia. Following the brief break here, we press onwards past the small spa town of Loutra Ypatis to the next regularity in the hills around the fine Monastery of Agathonas and then on further into the mountains as we begin the long climb to lunch in Karpenisi.

Our venue for lunch is the Montana Spa. This fine old hotel, sitting on the hillside above town, was a regular haunt for the Subaru World Rally team when they were testing for the Acropolis Rally. From lunch, it is a stiff climb to over 1800 metres as we pass the Velouchi Ski Centre and, weather pemitting, we will then enjoy a spectacular mountain vista on the subsequent descent down into the valley for an interesting regularity on the twisty roads around Vracha.

It will be a brief respite, however, as we are soon climbing again towards the beautiful Plastrias Lake. A short but sweet regularity along the shoreline brings us to, a quaint little restaurant right on the water’s edge, which is a perfect spot to have a few minutes breather after the long run from lunch.

Suitably rejuvenated, we then return north through the small mountain towns. All that then remains is a cross country run through a series of small towns and villages as we skirt the major conurbation of Trikala to the day’s test venue. After all the bends this afternoon, you should be well set for this final challenge. It is a short run from there to the Hotel. After a long day on the road, the bar and pool will be calling…

Our first scenic highlights today are the spectacular Monasteries of Meteora, made famous in the James Bond film - ‘For Your Eyes Only’. The name Meteora meaning ‘suspended in space’ is very apt as the monasteries are built atop the immense natural pillars that dominate the local area. While these ancient pinnacles were first inhabited by hermit monks during the 9th Century, it was not until the 14th century that the monasteries themselves were built as the resident monks sought refuge from an increasing number of Turkish attacks. At their peak in the 16th Century, there were 24 monasteries but today there are only six still functioning.

Competitive motoring then gets under way on the other side of the valley followed by a longer and more challenging section through Ampelochori, which takes us north to Panagia. Here we join the Egnatia Motorway that whisks us west through the northern Pindos Mountains by way of an impressive series of bridges and tunnels to the morning refreshments stop.

On the section following we tackle a series of long twisting ascents and descents as we trace the route of the Arachthos valley - a popular destination for rafting and canoeing,the Arachthos River remains our companion as we head south and offers fine views out towards the waters of the Amvrakikos Gulf.

After enjoying some local fare for Lunch, we take a ‘lonely road’ road along the spine of Peranthi Hill, before returning to the valley to join Motorway No. 5 to head to the afternoons route featuring good driving roads across the hills at Ariada to Lake Kastraki – another of the major artificial lakes that shape the Greek landscape.

We trace the shoreline of this lake south to the busy city of Agrinio, famous as a centre for tobacco production until the late 20th Century. The hustle and bustle here will come as a slight culture shock after the deserted mountain roads we have become used to. We are now headed for Lake Trichonida (the largest natural lake in Greece) After our brief lakeside sojourn; the day’s action is rounded off by a section outside Thermo.

Having surmounted this final challenge, we end the day with a crossing of the mighty Rio-Antirrio Bridge. Officially called the ‘Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge’ and opened in 2004, this 2880-metre-long feat of engineering spans the Gulf of Corinth and is one of the world's longest multi-span cable-stayed bridges and is probably the longest of the fully suspended type.Reaching the far bank, heralds our arrival on the Peloponnese Peninsula.

After two long and tiring days, an easier drive is in prospect as we begin our exploration of The Peloponnese. This is sometimes considered as the largest of the Greek islands even though it is essentially part of the mainland. Here everything is generally more laid back with a predominantly rural way of life.

Historically the region is the ‘stuff of legends’ This is where the gods walked the earth at Olympia, where the Argonauts set sail in search of the Golden Fleece and where Hercules fought the Nemean lion. It is also a land of geographical variety with lofty, snowcapped mountains bisected by vast gorges giving way to sandy beaches and azure waters.

We start the day by using the motorway to bypass the busy port city of Patras, before turning south to head into the hills. The route today has a different flavour to those of the previous days as it traverses a network of small farm roads through rolling countryside before returning to morefamiliar terrain, featuring a climb and descent.

A longer section is next up climbing over the hills to Lagkadia. This is a busy little mountain town with distinctive stone buildings. In fact, Lagkadia is famous throughout Greece for its traditional craftsmen (called pelekanoi), who were responsible for the building of houses all over the Peloponnese Peninsula.The landscape in these parts is reminiscent of southern Italy and it is a very pleasant drive on good roads to south of Andritsaina.

Having enjoyed a few hours of mountain roads, we descend to the flat lands as we make for the afternoon refreshments break picturesquely situated in a small village on the southern slopes of Mount Ithome and overlooking the ruins of Ancient Messini. The remains of this vast ancient city (founded in 371 BC) are as extensive as those of Olympia and Epidavros, yet less well known.

Following this brief taste of ancient culture, we get back behind the wheel for a final section that wends its way through the many olive groves that abound in these parts. These are home to the famous Kalamata Olives, well known throughout the world. Our arrival in Kalamata is marked with test well received during our last visit situated right by the seaside, before an easy drive to our hotel base for the next two nights.

Our backdrop for most of Day Five is the wild and rugged Mani Peninsula. This remote, mountainous and often windswept region peppered with small tower studded villages has been compared to the western regions of Scotland or Ireland and has something of an ‘end of the world’ feel to it.

Roads are now more abundant, and these sinuous ribbons of tarmac will host our first two morning regularities as we head south from Kalamata down the coast to the picturesque fishing village of Agios Nikolaos. Here we stop for morning drinks in one of the small cafes that are dotted along the waterfront.

Following this we arrive at the town of Areopoli, it marks our entry into the ‘Deep Mani’, where the coastline becomes more rugged. We explore a dense network of small country lanes before we descend the dramatic bluff of Cavo Grosso to the pretty seaside village of Gerolimenas It is now time for lunch which will be hosted at the beautiful Marmari Paradise Resort used on numerous events in the past, clinging to the hillside overlooking two sandy coves.

The afternoon section from Marmari starts with a stiff climb away from the coast offering stunning vistas and the next hour is generally a feast for the eyes as we journey along the ‘sunward coast’, where the mountains drop dramatically straight down into the sea.

You could almost forget that you are on a competitive rally, however more challenges are in store on the following section as we turn in land and enter Laconia - the homeland of the fierce Spartans.

The plans are to finish in the village of Mystras.

The reason for finishing at this point is to allow you the chance to visit the breathtaking medieval Mystras Ruins - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mystras was founded in the 13th Century, during the Frankish occupation of the Peloponnese. Having enjoyed an interesting hour or so walking among the well-preserved buildings and admiring the fine frescos, the drive fromMystras back to Kalamata is a spectacular one over the serpentine Langada Pass.

While yesterday the ‘Coast’ featured heavily, the theme for our drive to Nafplio today is ‘Alpine’ with the route climbing above the tree line to the high plateaus, In between, however, a large variety of landscapes are on offer, it is a long climb up from the coast through an impressive gorge

to the first planned section, which scales the Taygetos Ridge at Neochori, before a main road run takes us to the morning halt in a small family run roadside cafe at Ardames.We then head into the Skiritida Forest. In days gone by, these dark woods were the aanestral home to the Skirites, who were elite soldiers.

Crossing the main Corinth to Kalamata motorway and following the old road as it climbs and descends a small pass, we arrive in the town of Megapolopli - which is far less grand than its name suggests

All that remains for the morning section is a run through Vangos before we embark on a circuitous route to the lunch halt and are soon at the start of the first section of the afternoon which is a long ‘Alpine’ climb through the Chalikiou Forest. The roadshere are reminiscent of those in the Ardeche and Cevennes regions of southern France and so regular

Reaching the high plateau, climb ever higher to pass the Mainalo Ski Centre - one of the oldest in Greece, dating back to 1965. Mount Mainalo is also the mythical home to Panas, the shepherds’ goat-legged god (who was half human and half goat).

We then take the motorway for a short run north and within half an hour, the scenery has changed totally, and more stereotypical Greek scenery will be the backdrop for the final long regularity across a low range of scrubby hills ringed by the ever-present olive groves to the coast at Nea Kios.

Our overnight hotel - a neoclassical building set in beautiful gardens with palm trees and flowers and with a welcoming pool in which to cool off after a tough day on the road.

The Final Day we spend the morning exploring the lesser-known roads of the Argolida

Peninsula before finally leaving the Peloponnese to return to the ‘mainland’ for the run back to Athens. Exploring the network of roads surrounding the Moni Karakala monastery and then into the classic arid Greek landscape dotted with occasional orange and olive trees.

These sections take us to Epidavrus, where you may find the coaches already arriving with the day’s visitors to this popular site, for those who wish to, time has been allowed for a short visit to the Archaeological Site. The most famous attraction here is the mighty Amphitheatre, one of the best-preserved Classical Greek structures in existence.

Leaving Epidavrus, we pass through the busy little town of Lygourio, and across the hills at Arachneo. More peaceful rural roads and traditional villages then follow the open roads which brings us to Corinth. It is at this point that we start to encounter traffic again due to the proximity to Athens and the popular coastal resorts nearby.

Our route takes us the ‘back way’ to the Corinth Canal where you should be able to park up and walk the short distance to get a photo from the bridge of this engineering marvel.The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea

Heading north from the canal, we bypass the busy seaside resort of Loutraki, home of the Acropolis Rally in recent times, to reach the lunch halt overlooking the stunning coastal views, we then cross the hills to reach the northern coast for a scenic run along the Alkyonides Gulf to Egirousa.

We are planning to finish up at the main race circuit outside Athens and then a no pressure run back to the HQ hotel for the end of another edition of the Classic Marathon from Marathonas to Athens has been somewhat longer than 42 kilometres and arriving at the finish, we hope that you will have found it to be a challenging, successful and enjoyable rally.